Forerunner Collection (#2)

LCC-MFB Sydenham fire station, Crystal Palace
Built by the Metropolitan Board of Works (the forerunner of the London County Council) and opened in 1869, Sydenham fire station was located on Crystal Palace Parade in the shadow of the Crystal

LCC-MFB Battersea fire station, London SW8
Built by the Metropolitan Board of Works (the forerunner of the London County Council) and opened in 1874, Battersea fire station was located on the corner of Simpson Street and Battersea Road

LCC-MFB West Norwood fire station SE27
Built by the Metropolitan Board of Works (the forerunner of the London County Council), West Norwood fire station opened in 1881, located in Norwood High Street, near Knights Hill

LCC-MFB Poplar fire station, E14
Built by the Metropolitan Board of Works (the forerunner of the London County Council), Poplar fire station was located at 75 West India Dock Road, East London

LCC-MFB Whitechapel fire station, E1
Built by the Metropolitan Board of Works (the forerunner of the London County Council) for the MFB, Whitechapel fire station was located at 27 Commercial Road East (later just Commercial Road)

LCC-LFB Camden fire station, NW London
Built by the Metropolitan Board of Works (the forerunner of the London County Council) for the MFB, Camden fire station was one of a number of London stations to incorporate the distinctive round

Petrus Apianuss Pascals Triangle, 1527
Early Pascals Triangle. Appearing on the title page of Kauffmans Rechnung (Ingolstadt, 1527) by the German scholar Petrus Apianus

Youth Club in Islington, London, 1887
Engraving showing poor children playing in the gymnasium and skittle alley of what was a forerunner of a youth club, Islington, London, 1887

Drying Machine
Several engravings illustrating an ingenious device for drying clothes; a forerunner of the fold-up telescopic clothes drier used instead of a line and pegs

Suggestions for the homes of tomorrow: High frequency cooker
Photograph of a woman demonstrating the cooker of the future, in which the high frequency waves cook right through the food. The invention was a forerunner of the microwave oven, commonly in use today

French Colonial Soldier
A mounted soldier of the French Colonial Cavalry (forerunner of the French Foreign Legion)

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"The Forerunner: Tracing the Threads of History and Innovation" Step into the British Museum's iconic reading room, a forerunner of intellectual exploration since 1855. As you delve into its vast collection, discover intriguing hints that connect seemingly unrelated artifacts. At Gravesend, witness the mesmerizing Mutoscope, an early cinematic device that foreshadowed modern entertainment. Nearby stands the Glyptodon Asper, a colossal prehistoric creature whose existence paved the way for our understanding of ancient life. In bustling Peckham and Hackney fire stations, glimpse the brave firefighters who were forerunners in protecting London's communities. Their dedication echoes through time as we admire their valiant efforts to keep us safe. Outside Kennington fire station lies an architectural marvel - a testament to progress and innovation. Just like this structure represents advancements in firefighting technology, so too does it remind us of our own potential to forge ahead. Behold the piano-like machine that served as a precursor to today's typewriters; its keys strikingly similar yet distinct from what we know now. This invention was a harbinger of communication revolutions yet to come. Travel back to 1876 with countrywear fashion for men - elegant attire reflecting society's evolving tastes and styles. These garments embody how fashion has always been at the forefront of cultural expression. Across continents in prehistoric America, encounter majestic mastodons roaming untamed lands long before human civilization took hold, and are reminders of nature's grandeur and our humble beginnings on this earth. Journey further still to Greenwich fire station where another chapter unfolds - one marked by resilience and adaptability against ever-changing threats. The LCC-MFB firefighters stationed here exemplify bravery as they stand ready as guardians against danger. Finally, envision yourself on a primitive running machine - an ancestor to today's gym treadmills - propelling humanity towards healthier lifestyles even then.